Colored-fire torch



(No Model.)

W. H. VOSBURG'H', J1.

COLORED FIRE TORCH.

No. 431,82?. Patented July 8, 1890.

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PATENTv OFFICE.

IVII'ILIAM H. VOSBURGH, QJR., OF TROY, NEW YORK.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,827, dated J' uly 8, 1890.

Application filed January 2l, 1890. Serial No. 337,597. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, WILLIAM I-I. VosBUReH, .I r., of the city of Troy, county of Rensselaer, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Colored Fire Torches, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to an improvement in that class of colored-fire torches which have a case for containing' colored lire and are provided with a wooden handle by which they are grasped and held while the composition is burning. As this class of torches are usually made they are lighted from the end by a match or other igniting means not connected with the torch. When carried in processions, there is difflculty'in lighting them, particularly if the wind is blowing, and it is to combine with the torch a means for lighting it that is the object of my invention. Thus provided, on the order from the officer in command of aprocession or from a given signal all the torches in line can be lighted at one time, and so as to produce instantaneous illumination.

Accompanying this specification to form a part of it there is a sheet of drawings containing four figures illustrating my invention, with the same designation of parts by letter reference used in all of them.

Of the illustrations, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved torch. Fig. 2 is a section taken longitudinally and centrally through the torch. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a paper disk that is inserted in the end of the case, said disk being provided with an ignition composition upon one edge. Fig. 4. shows the same disk shown at Fig. 3, but with a modified manner of arranging the ignition composition.

The several parts of the torch thus illustrated, and as well as those containing my improvement, are designated by letter reference, and the function of the parts is described as follows:

The letter O designates the case, which is made of paper or thin straw-board; II, the handle, down over which the lower end of the case extends for securing the latter to the handle.

The letter A designates the composition for burning, which is arranged within the case, and A2 some quick composition arranged on top of the burning composition, this quick composition having gunpowder mixed therewith, or other like material, which will ignite readily and expand with enough force to blow out the disk D, arranged over said quick composition.

The letter I designates an ignition composition that is lighted by friction, which is arranged upon one edge of the disk, as shown at Fig. 3, or by placing a match M, having upon its end ignition composition I, which match is secured to the top or bottom of the disk D, with the latter cut away or recessed at R, as shown at Fig. 4.

The letter C2 designates-a cap arranged on the upper end of the case O.

The letter S designates a strip of paper, one end of which extends down into the case, as indicated at S2, with its entered end loosely therein and at one side of the interior thereof, with the outer end of the paper strip extended down on the exterior of the case, and which is, preferably at its lower outer end, pasted to the exterior of the case at P. This strip of paper, where within the case, and as indicated at F, is on its inner face coated with a sand-paper iinish, and so that When the outer end of the strip is drawn suddenly from the case the sand-paper or friction face will engage with the ignition composition I to fire the same and at the same time explode the quick composition A2, and thus ignite the colored-fire composition A. For the friction composition any of the well-known match compounds may be used.

As thus made, by pulling out the paper strips simultaneously the colored-fire torches of a long procession can be lighted up and without difficulty.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with a colored fire torch provided with a case to contain the burning composition, of a quick composition arranged within the case on top of the burning composition, a disk arranged on top of the quick composition, a friction lighting compound arranged on the edge of said disk, and

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a friction-strip having a rough face that will engage with said friction lighting compound when said friction-strip is drawn from out the case, substantially in the manner as and for 5 the purposes set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a torch for burning colored fire, in which the latter is lighted by means of a friction ignition cornpound arranged within the case, and a strip Io of paper having a rough surface that engages with said friction ignition compound when said strip is drawn from out the case, substantially as herein set forth.

Signed at Troy, New York, this 4th day of November, 1889.

WM. H. VOSBURGH, JR.

Witnesses:

W. E. HAGAN, CHARLES S. BRINTNALL. 

